Palatability enhancers comprising amino reactants and carbonyl compounds for use in cat food

ABSTRACT

The present invention concerns a non-fatty palatability enhancer for use in cat food comprising an amino reactant having a ratio AAS/AAT of sulfur-containing free amino acids (AAS) to total free amino acids (AAT) from 1 to 12.8% by weight, and a carbonyl composition comprising more than 20% up to 100% by weight of monosaccharides and/or disaccharides and/or oligosaccharides.

The present invention generally relates to the field of pet food and ismore specifically focused on cat food.

More precisely, the present invention concerns a non-fatty palatabilityenhancer for use in cat food comprising an amino reactant having a ratioAAS/AAT of sulfur-containing free amino acids (AAS) to total free aminoacids (AAT) from 1 to 12.8% by weight, and a carbonyl compositioncomprising more than 20% and up to 100% by weight of monosaccharidesand/or disaccharides and/or oligosaccharides.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Pets are well taken care of by their owners which provide them a properselection of foods. Those foods include not only pets' usualnutritionally-balanced diet, but also supplements, treats, and toys.Pets, like humans, are attracted to and eat more regularly and easilyfoods which they find palatable. Therefore, palatability enhancers (PEs)are extremely important for animal consumption. Animal foods such as petfoods typically contain flavour compositions to increase thepalatability thereof, and to make them appealing to pets. A large numberof PEs have been described so far.

However, food palatability differs not only from one type of food toanother, but also from one animal species to another. For example, apalatability enhancer effective in dry pet foods is usually noteffective when used in semi-dry or wet pet foods. Moreover, apalatability enhancer effective with dogs is often not effective withcats. Indeed, cats are particularly known as being finicky because oftheir high susceptibility to food palatability.

There is therefore a continuing need for new PEs, which provide a robustflavour and which are easily and effectively usable for cats, in typesof foods as different as dry, semi-dry and wet foods.

The present invention here provides new PEs that have been selected fortheir ability to enhance palatability of cat food.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An object of the present invention concerns a non-fatty PE for use incat food comprising an amino reactant characterized by a ratio AAS/AATof sulfur-containing free amino acids (AAS) to total free amino acids(AAT) from 1 to 12.8% by weight, and a carbonyl composition comprisingmore than 20% and up to 100% by weight of monosaccharides and/ordisaccharides and/or oligosaccharides.

Another object of the present invention is related to apalatability-enhancing composition (PEC) for use in cat food comprisinga PE of the invention.

Further objects of the present invention relate to methods for preparingPEs and PECs.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a method forproducing a cat food having enhanced palatability.

A further object of the present invention concerns a kit for enhancingpalatability of a cat food.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Definitions

Percentages are expressed herein by weight of a product reference (inparticular, a PE or a PEC). In some instances that will be apparent tothe person skilled in the art, percentages may be expressed on a drymatter basis. The person skilled in the art will appreciate that theterm “dry matter basis” means that an ingredient's concentration orpercentage in a composition is measured after the free water has beenremoved, or determined on the basis of the weight of the compositiononce the weight of any free moisture in the composition has beensubtracted.

In the present disclosure, ranges are stated in shorthand, so as toavoid having to set out at length and describe each and every valuewithin the range. Any appropriate value within the range can beselected, where appropriate, as the upper value, lower value, or theterminus of the range. For example, a range of 0.1-1.0 (from 0.1 to 1)represents the terminal values of 0.1 and 1.0, as well as theintermediate values of 0.2, 0.3, 0.4, 0.5, 0.6, 0.7, 0.8, 0.9, and allintermediate ranges encompassed within 0.1-1.0, such as 0.2-0.5,0.2-0.8, 0.7-1.0, etc.

The terms “more than 20% and up to 100%” or “more than 20% up to 100%”mean herein a range starting from a value strictly superior to 20% andending at 100%, i.e., all intermediate values between 20 and 100% areencompassed whereas the lower terminal value 20% is not.

As used throughout, the singular form of a word includes the plural, andvice versa, unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Thus, thereferences “a”, “an”, and “the” are generally inclusive of the pluralsof the respective terms. For example, reference to “a method” or “afood” includes a plurality of such “methods” or “foods”. Similarly, thewords “comprise”, “comprises”, and “comprising” are to be interpretedinclusively. Likewise the terms “include”, “including” and “or” shouldall be construed to be inclusive. All these terms however have to beconsidered as encompassing exclusive embodiments that may also bereferred to using words such as “consist of”.

The methods and products and other embodiments exemplified here are notlimited to the particular methodologies, protocols, and reagents thatare described herein because, as the skilled artisan will appreciate,they may vary.

Unless defined otherwise, all technical and scientific terms, terms ofart, and acronyms used herein have the meanings commonly understood bythe skilled artisan in the field(s) of the invention, or in the field(s)where the term is used. Although any products, methods, or other meansor materials similar or equivalent to those described herein can be usedin the practice of the present invention, the preferred products,methods, or other means or materials are described herein.

The term “about” as used herein when referring to a measurable valuesuch as an amount, a temporal duration, and the like, is meant toencompass variations of ±10%, more preferably ±5%, even more preferably±2% from the specified value, as such variations are appropriate toreproduce the disclosed methods and products.

As used herein, the term “palatability” refers to the overallwillingness of a pet to eat a certain petfood. Whenever a pet shows apreference, for example, for one of two or more petfoods, the preferredpetfood is more “palatable”, and has “enhanced palatability”. Suchpreference can arise from any of the pet's senses, but typically isrelated to, inter alia, taste, aroma, flavour, texture, smell and/ormouth feel.

Different methods exist to assess palatability. Examples of such methodsinvolve exposure of pets to petfoods either simultaneously (for example,in side-by-side, free-choice comparisons, e.g., by measuring relativeconsumption of at least two different petfoods), or sequentially (e.g.,using single bowl testing methodologies). Advantageously, at least twodifferent methods may be used to consolidate the thus obtained resultson palatability of a given petfood.

A pet food, more particularly a cat food, that is stated herein to have“enhanced palatability” is one for which a cat exhibits preferencerelative to a control composition. Advantageously, a cat food havingenhanced palatability is appealing or pleasing not just to cats, but tocat owners as well.

From a functional point of view, the terms “palatability enhancers(PEs)”, “palatants”, “flavours”, “palatability agents”, “appetizingfactors”, “flavour compositions”, “palatability-enhancing compositions(PECs)”, “flavour enhancers”, and any other similar terms equivalentlymean any material that enhances the palatability of a food compositionto a cat. Typically, a palatability enhancer for cat food is an ediblecomposition that provides an aroma, taste, aftertaste, smell, mouthfeel, texture, and/or organoleptic sensation that is appealing orpleasing to the cat.

For example, a palatability enhancer may contribute to initial foodappeal by its smell and/or to continued consumption by its smell butalso by its taste and/or its aftertaste, and/or its mouth feel, and/orits texture. “Initial appeal” is an aspect of palatability that inducesan animal (here, a cat) to initially taste or try a food, and that canbe measured by the criteria “first choice” or “first food consumed”.“Continued consumption” is an aspect of palatability that induces ananimal (here, a cat) to continue consuming a food that has beeninitially only tasted or tried.

From a structural point of view, the terms “palatability enhancers(PEs)”, “palatants”, “flavours”, “palatability agents”, “appetizingfactors”, “flavour compositions”, “palatability-enhancing compositions(PECs)”, “flavour enhancers”, and any other similar terms may refer to asingle material or a blend of materials, that may be natural, processedor unprocessed, synthetic, or part of natural and part of syntheticmaterials.

Despite their equivalent functional meaning, each of the terms“palatability enhancers (PEs)”, “palatants”, “flavours”, “palatabilityagents”, “appetizing factors”, “flavour compositions”,“palatability-enhancing compositions (PECs)”, “flavour enhancers” canadvantageously be used to identify a specific material or blend ofmaterial in order to facilitate a proper distinction between variousmaterials or blends of materials that all have advantageouspalatability-enhancing properties. In particular, in the present contextand as described below, a PE can be contained in a PEC.

As used herein, a “non-fatty PE” is a PE which does not contain anyadded or exogenous fat. In other words, a “non-fatty PE” according tothe present invention only comprises the endogenous fat, if any, thatmay be contained in the amino reactant and the carbonyl compound. Thus,the fat content of the “non-fatty PE” according to the invention is verylow, or even insignificant, or even undetectable by standard methods(such as described in European Regulation EC n° 152/2009 Determinationof crude oils and fats—Procedure B—available online), and it may bereferred to as “traces of fat”.

The present invention is dedicated to cats. However, the invention maybe adapted for use with other classes of pets or companion animals (suchas dogs, rabbits, guinea pigs, ferrets, hamsters, mice, gerbils, birds,horses, cows, goats, sheep, donkeys, pigs, and the like). If desired,the invention can be tested to evaluate its suitability for use withdifferent classes of animals that may be considered as companionanimals.

As used herein, the term “cat food” or “food” means a product orcomposition that is eaten by a cat and provides at least one nutrient tothe cat. The term “food” includes any food, feed, snack, foodsupplement, treat, toy (chewable and/or consumable toys), edible mealsubstitute, or edible meal replacement. Drinks and beverages of any typeare encompassed within the term “food.”

There are three main categories or classes of pet foods, in particularof cat foods, depending on their moisture content, which is either lowor medium or high:

-   -   dry or low moisture-containing products (having less than about        14% moisture): they usually produce a crunching sound when        chewed by pets, in particular by cats; they are generally highly        nutritious, may be inexpensively packaged (e.g., in bags or        boxes), and are highly convenient to store and use; they are        relatively shelf-stable and resistant to microbial or fungal        deterioration or contamination;    -   canned or wet or high moisture-containing products (having more        than about 50% moisture): typically high meat-containing        products, they are usually costly to produce and package (mainly        in cans); they are not shelf-stable when opened so that excess        or unused wet food must be refrigerated to prevent microbial or        fungal spoilage;    -   semi-moist or semi-dry or soft dry or soft moist or intermediate        or medium moisture-containing products (having from about 14 to        about 50% moisture): they are usually packaged in appropriate        bags or boxes; they contain stabilizing agents and can thus be        stored in the same way as dry products.

Nutritionally-balanced pet foods, in particular cat foods, are widelyknown and used in the art.

A “nutritionally-complete”, “nutritionally-balanced” or “complete andnutritionally-balanced food” is one that contains all known requirednutrients for the intended recipient or consumer of the food, inappropriate amounts and proportions based, for example, onrecommendations of recognized or competent authorities in the field ofcompanion animal nutrition. Such foods are therefore capable of servingas a sole source of dietary intake to maintain life, without theaddition of supplemental nutritional sources.

The term “kibble” used herein refers to particulate chunks or piecesformed by either a pelleting or extrusion process. Typically, kibblesare produced to give dry and semi-moist pet food. The pieces can vary insizes and shapes, depending on the process or the equipment. Forinstance, kibbles can have spherical, cylindrical, oval, or similarshapes. They can have a largest dimension of less than about 2 cm forexample.

The term “chunk-in-“X” products” mean herein all edible foodstuffscomprising chunks in a preparation (said preparation being “the Xpreparation”). Classical examples thereof are chunk-in-jelly products,chunk-in-gravy products, and the like. This category of “chunk-in-X”products encompasses also edible forms other than chunks that may becontained in the X preparation such as a jelly, a gravy, and the like.For instance, other forms than chunks may be sliced products, gratedproducts, etc.

The term “loaf” used herein refers to edible foodstuffs obtained asmoist products, and includes terrines, pâtés, mousses, and the like.

The term “food supplement” or “dietary supplement” or “supplement” meansa product that is intended to be eaten in addition to the normal animaldiet. Drinks and beverages are encompassed. Dietary supplements may bein any edible form, e.g., solid, liquid, gel, paste, tablets, capsules,powder, and the like. Preferably they are provided in convenient dosageforms. In some embodiments, they are provided in bulk consumer packagessuch as bulk powders. In other embodiments, supplements are provided inbulk quantities to be included in other food items such as snacks,treats, supplement bars, and the like. PEs and PECs can be used toimprove palatability of dietary supplements in the same manner as theyare used to improve palatability of nutritionally-balanced foods.

The term “treat” (or “biscuit”) means any food item that is designed tobe fed to a pet (here, a cat), preferably at non-meal time, by the ownerto help, promote or sustain a bonding process between a pet (here, acat) and its owner. Examples of treats for cats are stuffed pillows andchewable sticks. Treats may be nutritional or not. Treats often containPEs or PECs in a manner comparable to nutritionally-balanced foods.

“Toys” include, for example chewable toys. Examples of toys for cats arechewable cat toys. Toys further include partially consumable toys (e.g.,comprising plastic components) or fully consumable toys (e.g.,rawhides).

As used herein, the term “amino acid” means a molecule containing bothan amino group and a carboxyl group. In some embodiments, the aminoacids are α-, β-, γ- or δ-amino acids, including their stereoisomers andracemates. As used herein, the term “L-amino acid” denotes an α-aminoacid having the L configuration around the α-carbon, that is, acarboxylic acid of general formula CH(COOH)(NH₂)-(side chain), havingthe L-configuration. The term “D-amino acid” similarly denotes acarboxylic acid of general formula CH(COOH)(NH₂)-(side chain), havingthe D-configuration around the α-carbon. Side chains of L-amino acidscan include naturally occurring and non-naturally occurring moieties.Non-naturally occurring (i.e., unnatural) amino acid side chains aremoieties that are used in place of naturally occurring amino acid sidechains in, for example, amino acid analogs.

By the term “amino reactant” or “amino acid source”, it is meant areactant having a free amino group that is available to react with acarbonyl compound in a Maillard reaction. Amino reactants include aminoacids, peptides (including dipeptides, tripeptides, and oligopeptides),proteins, hydrolysates and extracts thereof, hydrolysed vegetableprotein (HVPs), peptones, yeast extracts, yeast hydrolysates, yeastautolysates, cream yeasts, soy sauces, and mixtures thereof.

By the term “free amino acids”, it is meant herein amino acids that areindividually present as unbound ingredients in a composition. Free aminoacids do not form part or are not contained into peptides or proteinsand are not joined to other amino acids by peptide bonds.

By the term “sulphur-containing free amino acids”, it is meant hereinfree amino acids containing one or more atoms of sulphur selected fromfree cysteine, cystine, methionine, and also from sulphur sources suchas i) homocysteine, cystathionine, and cysteamine; ii) short peptidessuch as glutathione and homoglutathione; and iii) thiamine.

By the term “total free amino acids”, it is meant herein all the freeamino acids contained in a product (in particular here, a PE). Nodistinction is made between any of the free amino acids that arecontained in said product.

The term “yeast” herein refers to any yeast, preferably inactive, aswell as to yeast by-products that are compatible with compositions foranimal consumption. Yeasts are well known in the art as beingprotein-rich. Yeasts include, without limitation, brewer's yeast,baker's yeast, torula yeast, molasses yeast, ethanol yeasts, and thelike. Yeast by-products include, without limitation, yeast extracts,yeast hydrolysates, yeast autolysates, cream yeasts, etc.

By the term “carbonyl composition”, it is meant herein any material (,that can provide a free or available carbonyl group (such that thecarbonyl group is available to react with an amino reactant in aMaillard reaction), with the proviso that it comprises more than 20% andup to 100% by weight of monosaccharides and/or disaccharides and/oroligosaccharides.

Preferably, a “carbonyl composition” of the present invention comprisesfrom 21 to 100% by weight of monosaccharides and/or disaccharides and/oroligosaccharides. More preferably, it comprises from 23 to 100% byweight of monosaccharides and/or disaccharides and/or oligosaccharides.Yet more preferably, it comprises from 25 to 100% by weight ofmonosaccharides and/or disaccharides and/or oligosaccharides. Even yetmore preferably, it comprises from 28% to 100% by weight ofmonosaccharides and/or disaccharides and/or oligosaccharides.

Examples of carbonyl compositions include, but are not limited to,monosaccharides, disaccharides, oligosaccharides, hydrolysis productsthereof (i.e., hydrolysis products of disaccharides and/or ofoligosaccharides); and materials containing carbonyl groups; all thosecompounds bearing at least one carbonyl group such as aldehydes,ketones, alphahydroxycarbonyl or dicarbonyl compounds; and with theproviso that they comprise more than 20% and up to 100%, preferably from21 to 100%, more preferably from 23 to 100%, yet more preferably from 25to 100%, and even yet more preferably from 28 to 100% by weight ofmonosaccharides and/or disaccharides and/or oligosaccharides.

Non-limiting examples of monosaccharides are xylose, arabinose, ribose,glucose, fructose, mannose, galactose, rhamnose, fucose, glyceraldehyde,dihydroxyacetone, erythrulose, erythrose, threose, ribulose, xylulose,lyxose, and the like.

Non-limiting examples of disaccharides are lactose and maltose.

By the term “oligosaccharide”, it is meant herein a small saccharidepolymer (typically, a polymer having from 3 to 10 simple sugars ormonosaccharides), whereas a “polysaccharide” is herein a largersaccharide polymer than an oligosaccharide (typically a polymer havingmore than 10 monosaccharides).

Non-limiting examples of oligosaccharides are trioses such as raffinoseand tetraoses such as stachyose.

Non-limiting examples of materials containing carbonyl groups areglucose syrups, fructose syrups, caramel, and molasses.

A requirement in the context of the present invention is that thecarbonyl composition under consideration comprises more than 20% and upto 100%, preferably from 21 to 100%, more preferably from 23 to 100%,yet more preferably from 25 to 100%, and even yet more preferably from28 to 100% by weight of monosaccharides and/or disaccharides and/oroligosaccharides.

The term “inorganic phosphate compound” as used herein means a chemicalcompound comprising at least one phosphorus atom. This chemical compoundmay be natural or synthetic, ionized or not. Examples of inorganicphosphate compounds include polyphosphates, pyrophosphates, andmonophosphates.

“Inorganic pyrophosphates” or “pyrophosphates” include alkali metalpyrophosphates, encompassing monoalkali metal pyrophosphates andpolyalkali metal pyrophosphates.

Examples of pyrophosphates include, without limitation, tetrahydrogenpyrophosphate, sodium trihydrogen pyrophosphate, potassium trihydrogenpyrophosphate, disodium dihydrogen pyrophosphate, dipotassium dihydrogenpyrophosphate, dicalcium pyrophate, monocalcium dihydrogenpyrophosphate, trisodium hydrogen pyrophosphate, tripotassium hydrogenpyrophosphate, tetrasodium pyrophosphate, tetrapotassium pyrophosphate,and tetraferric pyrophosphate.

Non-limiting examples of polyphosphates are tripolyphosphates (such assodium tripolyphosphate, potassium tripolyphosphate),pentapolyphosphates, and hexapolyphosphates (such as sodiumhexametaphosphate)

Examples of monophosphates include, without limitation, monosodiummonophosphate, disodium monophosphate, trisodium monophosphate,monopotassium monophosphate, dipotassium monophosphate, tripotassiummonophosphate, monocalcium monophosphate, dicalcium phosphate,tricalcium phosphate, and monoferric monophosphate.

The term “animal digest” means herein material which results fromchemical and/or enzymatic hydrolysis of clean, undecomposed animaltissue. In some embodiments, an animal digest as used herein is fullyconsistent with the definition promulgated by the Association OfAmerican Feed Control Officials, Inc. (AAFCO). Animal digest ispreferably derived from animal tissues, including cold-blooded marineanimals, excluding hair, horns, teeth, hooves, and feathers. The skilledartisan will appreciate that while such tissues are not preferred, traceamounts might be found unavoidably even under good manufacturingpractices. Also not included are visceral contents or foreign or fecalmatter, although trace contaminant amounts are sometimes present. Ananimal digest may be dried or not. Examples of animal digests are:

-   -   digest of poultry (or pork, beef, sheep, lamb, fish, etc):        material from poultry (pork, beef, etc) which results from        chemical and/or enzymatic hydrolysis of clean and undecomposed        tissue;    -   digest of pork (or beef, sheep, lamb, fish, etc) by-products:        material from pork (beef, etc.) which results from chemical        and/or enzymatic hydrolysis of clean and undecomposed tissue        from non-rendered clean parts from cattle (pigs, sheep, lamb,        etc), other than meat, for example lungs, spleen, kidneys,        brain, livers, blood, partially-defatted low-temperature fatty        tissue, and stomachs and intestines, freed of their contents;    -   digest of poultry by-products: material which results from        chemical and/or enzymatic hydrolysis of clean and undecomposed        tissue from non-rendered clean parts of poultry, other than        meat, such as livers, hearts, heads, feet, and viscera. As used        herein, “poultry” encompasses any species or kind of bird,        preferably chicken, turkey, duck, and the like; and    -   digest of fish by-products: material which results from chemical        and/or enzymatic hydrolysis of clean and undecomposed tissue        from non-rendered clean parts from fish, other than meat. As        used herein, “fish” encompasses any species or kind of fish or        crustaceans, preferably tuna, salmon, cod, whitefish, shrimp,        sardine, and the like.

Animal digests may also be referred to as “animal products” or “animalby-products”, all these terms being used herein as synonymous.

As used herein, a “cat food ingredient” is any compound, composition ormaterial that is suitable for cat consumption. Non-limiting examples ofcat food ingredients are PEs, PECs, animal digests, proteins, peptides,amino acids, grains, carbohydrates, fats or lipids, nutrients,anti-oxidants, preservatives, surfactants, texturing agents, colouringagents, flavours, inorganic phosphate compounds, etc.

As used herein, a “palatability-enhancing ingredient” is any compound,composition or material that is suitable for cat consumption and thathas a food palatability-enhancing effect. Non-limiting examples ofpalatability-enhancing ingredients are animal digests, yeasts, proteins,peptides, amino acids, carbohydrates, fats or lipids, nutrients,anti-oxidants, preservatives, surfactants, texturing agents, flavours,inorganic phosphate compounds, etc. Ingredients may be comprised as suchin a PEC, or they can be incorporated into the PEC and react in situ forproducing transformed materials that are also encompassed by the term“palatability-enhancing ingredients”.

“Proteins” include all conventional protein sources that are compatiblefor animal (in particular, cat) consumption, especially plant orvegetable proteins, animal proteins (such as casein or albumin or animaldigests), and microbial proteins (e.g., yeast).

Examples of vegetable proteins are corn gluten, soy protein, soy flour,hydrolyzed vegetable protein (HVP), and the like.

Examples of grains are corn, milo, alfalfa, wheat, barley, rice, soy,and the like.

Examples of carbohydrates include dextrose, fructose, sucrose, fibers,starches, and the like.

Examples of fats include tallow, oils (from any origin such as animal,fish, vegetable, dairy oils).

Examples of nutrients include, without limitation, vitamins, mineralsand electrolytes, such as vitamins A, C, E, B12, D3, folic acid,D-biotin, cyanocobalamin, niacinamide, thiamine, riboflavin, pyridoxine,menadione, beta-carotene, calcium pantothenate, choline, inositol,calcium, potassium, sodium, zinc, iron, manganese, copper, iodine, andthe like.

Anti-oxidants and preservatives are, for example, tocopherols, rosemaryextract, potassium sorbate, sorbic acid, and the like.

A “thermal reaction” is, according to the present invention, a reactiontriggered by a “thermal treatment”, i.e., a reaction obtained bycombining at an elevated temperature, at least one carbonyl compound andat least one amino reactant. Such a reaction may actually includevarious concomitant and/or successive reactions, including, e.g.,Maillard reaction(s). Such thermal reactions are well known by theperson skilled in the art. It is commonly referred to the “Maillardreaction” for designating a non-enzymatic browning involving in fact aseries of thermal reactions between reducing sugars and amino acids.Thus, with this enlarged meaning, the “Maillard reaction” is equivalentto the “thermal reaction”.

It is thus meant herein by the term “Maillard ingredient(s)”, one ormore carbonyl compound and/or one or more amino reactant. Indeed,Maillard ingredients are ingredients used to achieve one or more thermalreactions as defined above.

The term “carrier” means a usually inactive substance that is used inassociation with an active compound or mix of compounds. Under thesecircumstances, a “carrier” typically aids the application of said activecompound or mix of compounds.

Alternatively, the term “carrier” can be equivalent to the term “filler”which refers to a substance added to a composition to increase weightand/or size and/or bulk thereof, or to fill space in a composition.

Yet alternatively, the term “carrier” can refer to a “carrier forconcentrating” or “carrier for drying”, encompassing conventionalcompounds that are well-known in the art to perform a concentration or adrying step in a given method. Examples of “carriers for concentrating”or “carriers for drying” are microbial proteins (e.g., yeasts), animalproteins, vegetable proteins, carbohydrates (e.g., maltodextrin,cyclodextrin), as well as minerals or inorganic compounds, includinginorganic phosphate compounds.

Of course, the exact meaning of the term “carrier” when used herein willbe clear to the skilled artisan based on the context and in light of hisgeneral knowledge in the art.

As used herein, the term “aqueous medium” means a solution in which thesolvent is water and that contains solid or liquid ingredient misciblewith water or that has the capacity to dissolve in water at ambienttemperature.

“Coating”, as used herein, refers to the topical deposition of the PE orPEC onto the surface of the basal food composition, such as by spraying,dusting, and the like.

“Inclusion” as used herein, refers to the addition of the PE or PECinternally to the cat food preparation, by mixing it with other cat foodingredients, before further processing steps for obtaining the final catfood product (including thermal treatment and/or extrusion and/orretorting, etc.).

The term “single package” means that the components of a kit arephysically associated in or with one or more containers and considered aunit for manufacture, distribution, sale, or use. Containers include,but are not limited to, bags, boxes, cartons, bottles, packages of anytype or design or material, over-wrap, shrink-wrap, stapled or otherwiseaffixed components, or combinations thereof. A single package may becontainers of individual components physically associated such that theyare considered a unit for manufacture, distribution, sale, or use.

As used herein, “means for communicating information or instructions” isa kit component under any form suitable for providing information,instructions, recommendations, and/or warranties, etc. Such a means cancomprise a document, digital storage media, optical storage media, audiopresentation, visual display containing information. The means ofcommunication can be a displayed web site, brochure, product label,package insert, advertisement, visual display, etc.

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

A first aspect of the present invention relates to a non-fatty PE foruse in cat food comprising:

-   -   at least one amino reactant characterized by a ratio AAS/AAT of        sulfur-containing free amino acids (AAS) to total free amino        acids (AAT) from 1 to 12.8% by weight; and    -   at least one carbonyl composition comprising more than 20% and        up to 100% by weight of monosaccharides and/or disaccharides        and/or oligosaccharides.

Preferably, said ratio AAS/AAT is equal or superior to about 2% byweight, yet preferably equal or superior to about 2.50% by weight, andeven yet preferably equal or superior to about 2.73% by weight.

Preferably, said ratio AAS/AAT is in the range 2.00-12.80% by weight,yet preferably in the range 2.50-12.80% by weight, and even yetpreferably in the range 2.73-12.80% by weight.

Preferably, said carbonyl composition comprises from 21 to 100%, morepreferably from 23 to 100%, yet more preferably from 25 to 100%, andeven yet more preferably from 28 to 100% by weight of monosaccharidesand/or disaccharides and/or oligosaccharides.

Preferably, said PE is obtained upon thermally treating said at leastone amino reactant and said at least one carbonyl composition. If so,the thermal treatment comprises heating said at least one amino reactantand said at least one carbonyl composition at a temperature ranging fromabout 80° C. to about 200° C. for a period of time ranging from about 10sec to about 210 min.

In particular, said temperature can range from about 85° C. to about190° C., preferably from about 90° C. to about 180° C., yet preferablyfrom about 95° C. to about 170° C.

Yet in particular, said period of time can range from about 15 sec toabout 150 min, preferably from about 1 min to about 120 min, yetpreferably from about 3 min to about 100 min, even yet preferably fromabout 5 min to about 80 min.

Preferably, said thermal treatment comprises heating said at least oneamino reactant and said at least one carbonyl composition at atemperature ranging from about 95° C. to about 170° C. for a period oftime ranging from about 5 min to about 80 min.

In practice, depending upon the duration of the thermal treatment, theskilled artisan will be able to select, in light of his generalknowledge in the art, an appropriate method among standard methods forheating food compositions such as batch cooking, semi-continuouscooking, continuous cooking, and the like.

Preferably, said amino reactant is selected from amino acids, peptides(including dipeptides, tripeptides, and oligopeptides), proteins,hydrolysates and extracts thereof, hydrolysed vegetable protein (HVPs),peptones, yeast extracts, yeast hydrolysates, yeast autolysates, creamyeasts, soy sauces, and combinations thereof.

Said carbonyl composition is preferably selected from the groupconsisting of monosaccharides, disaccharides, oligosaccharides; andmaterials containing carbonyl groups such as glucose syrups, fructosesyrups, caramel, and molasses; and combinations thereof, with theproviso that they comprise more than 20% up to 100%, preferably from 21to 100%, more preferably from 23 to 100%, yet more preferably from 25 to100%, and even yet more preferably from 28 to 100% by weight ofmonosaccharides and/or disaccharides and/or oligosaccharides.

Said amino reactant is preferably present in the PE in an amount ofabout 0.5 to 95%, yet preferably about 0.75 to 80%, more preferablyabout 1 to 65%, yet more preferably about 1.25 to 50%, and even morepreferably about 1.5 to 35%, by weight of the PE.

Said carbonyl composition is preferably present in the PE in an amountof about 0.5 to 99%, yet preferably about 1 to 95%, more preferablyabout 1.5 to 90%, yet more preferably about 2 to 85%, and even morepreferably about 2.5 to 80%, by weight of the PE.

The PE can be dry or liquid.

As being non-fatty, the PE according to the present invention does notcontain any structured lipid phase.

Another aspect of the present invention concerns a PEC for use in catfood comprising at least one PE as described herein, in mixture with oneor more palatability-enhancing ingredients.

Said PE is preferably present in the PEC in an amount of about 0.1 to99.9%, yet preferably about 0.25 to 95%, more preferably about 0.5 to90%, yet more preferably about 1 to 85%, and even more preferably about1.5 to 80%, by weight of the composition.

Preferably, said palatability-enhancing ingredients are selected frominorganic phosphate compounds, animal digests, yeasts, and combinationsthereof. Yet preferably, said palatability-enhancing ingredientscomprise at least one inorganic phosphate compound and at least oneanimal digest.

Said inorganic phosphate compounds are preferably selected from thegroup consisting of phosphoric acid, pyrophosphates, monophosphates,polyphosphates, and combinations thereof.

A preferred inorganic phosphate compound according to the presentinvention is a pyrophosphate compound selected from disodiumpyrophosphate, trisodium pyrophosphate, tetrasodium pyrophosphate,dipotassium pyrophosphate, tripotassium pyrophosphate, tetrapotassiumpyrophosphate, tetraferric pyrophosphate, and combinations thereof. Amore particularly preferred pyrophosphate compound is trisodiumpyrophosphate.

A preferred polyphosphate compound for use in the present invention issodium tripolyphosphate.

Said inorganic phosphate compound is preferably present in the PEC in anamount of about 0.01 to 75%, yet preferably about 0.05 to 70%, morepreferably about 0.1 to 65%, yet more preferably about 0.25 to 60%, andeven more preferably about 0.5 to 55%, by weight of the composition.

Preferred animal digests are poultry product or by-product digests, porkproduct or by-product digests, and fish by-product digests, andcombinations thereof.

Said animal digest is preferably present in said PEC in an amount ofabout 0.01 to 99%, more preferably about 0.05 to 95%, yet morepreferably about 0.1 to 90%, even more preferably about 0.2 to 85%, andyet even more preferably about 0.5 to 80% by weight of the composition.

Preferred yeasts for use in the present invention are brewer's yeast,molasses yeast, and by-products thereof.

The yeast content in said PEC is preferably of about 0.01 to 99%, yetpreferably about 0.05 to 95%, more preferably about 0.1 to 90%, yet morepreferably about 0.2 to 85%, and even more preferably about 0.5 to 80%,by weight of the composition.

Advantageously, the PEC comprises one or more otherpalatability-enhancing ingredients as defined above.

The content of such ingredients in said PEC is preferably of about 0.01to 99%, yet preferably about 0.05 to 95%, more preferably about 0.1 to90%, yet more preferably about 0.2 to 85%, and even more preferablyabout 0.5 to 80%, by weight of the composition.

The PEC can be dry or liquid.

A further aspect of the present invention is related to a method forpreparing a non-fatty PE for use in cat food comprising:

a) mixing in an aqueous medium at least one amino reactant characterizedby a ratio AAS/AAT from 1 to 12.8% by weight, and at least one carbonylcomposition comprising more than 20% and up to 100% by weight ofmonosaccharides and/or disaccharides and/or oligosaccharides;

b) optionally, thermally treating the thus obtained mixture;

c) optionally, drying the resulting mixture; and

d) obtaining said PE.

Preferably, said carbonyl composition comprises from 21 to 100%, morepreferably from 23 to 100%, yet more preferably from 25 to 100%, andeven yet more preferably from 28 to 100% by weight of monosaccharidesand/or disaccharides and/or oligosaccharides.

Preferably, said step b) comprises heating said at least one aminoreactant and said at least one carbonyl composition at a temperatureranging from about 80 to about 200° C. for a period of time ranging fromabout 10 sec to about 210 min.

In particular, said temperature can range from about 85° C. to about190° C., preferably from about 90 to about 180° C., yet preferably fromabout 95 to about 170° C.

Yet in particular, said period of time can range from about 15 sec toabout 150 min, preferably from about 1 min to about 120 min, yetpreferably from about 3 min to about 100 min, even yet preferably fromabout 5 min to 80 min.

Preferably, said thermal treatment comprises heating said at least oneamino reactant and said at least one carbonyl composition at atemperature ranging from about 95° C. to about 170° C. for a period oftime ranging from about 5 min to about 80 min.

As yet mentioned above, in practice, depending upon the duration of thethermal treatment, the skilled artisan will be able to select, in lightof his general knowledge in the art, an appropriate method amongstandard methods for heating food compositions such as batch cooking,semi-continuous cooking, continuous cooking, and the like.

In particular, said drying of step c) is performed so as to remove anyexcess water. In particular, the resulting water content is less than orequal to about 10%, preferably from about 1 to about 8%, by weight ofthe thus obtained product. For example, a dry product can be obtained bycombining the product to be dried with carriers as defined above inappropriate proportions, and by blending the components. The mixture isthen dried by evaporation at an appropriate temperature, and a dryproduct is obtained.

A non-fatty PE for use in cat food that is obtainable by a method asdescribed above is also an aspect of the present invention.

Another aspect of the present invention concerns a method for preparinga PEC for use in cat food comprising:

a) providing at least one PE as described herein;b) mixing said at least one PE with one or more palatability-enhancingingredients;c) optionally, drying the thus obtained mixture; andd) obtaining said PEC.

Preferably, said at least one PE of step a) is prepared by a method asdescribed above.

Preferably, the method for preparing a PEC further comprises, after saidstep a), a step a1) of drying said at least one PE.

In particular, said drying of step c) and/or of step a1) is performed soas to remove any excess water. In particular, the resulting watercontent is less than or equal to about 10%, preferably from about 1 toabout 8%, by weight of the thus obtained product. For example, a dryproduct is obtained by combining the product to be dried with carriersas defined above in appropriate proportions, and by blending thecomponents. The mixture is then dried by evaporation at an appropriatetemperature, and a dry product is obtained.

A PEC for use in cat food that is obtainable by a method as describedabove is also an aspect of the present invention.

A typical example of a method for preparing a liquid animal digest foruse in the production of a PEC is as follows. Liquid ingredients arecombined in a mixer. Wet ingredients are ground or emulsified to aslurry and the liquid ingredients are combined therewith. If need be, acommercially available protease may be added to the slurry to hydrolyzeproteins, and later inactivated with heat, acid or another method.Preservatives such as sorbic acid can also be added. Water is added toadjust the viscosity and the solids content of the slurry to facilitatespray application.

It is further disclosed herein a cat food having enhanced palatabilitythat comprises at least one PE and/or at least one PEC as describedherein.

Yet another aspect of the present invention is related to a method forenhancing the palatability of a cat food or, in other words, forproducing a cat food having enhanced palatability comprising:

a) adding to a cat food preparation, at least one PE and/or at least onePEC as described herein; andb) obtaining a cat food having enhanced palatability.

A cat food having enhanced palatability that is obtainable by a methodas described above is also disclosed herein.

Typically, dry cat foods such as kibbles can be prepared by differentcommon methods. One of these methods, that is widely used, is acooker-extruder method. In the cooker-extruder method, ingredients arefirst blended together to form an admixture. This admixture istransferred into a steam conditioner where it is sufficiently moistenedto become extrudable. The admixture then enters a cooker-extruder whereit is cooked at an elevated temperature and pressure and then forced outof the apparatus through a die. This die forms the extruder product intoa specific shape. Individual pieces of food are created by periodicallyslicing off the end of the extruded stream of product. The individualpieces are then dried in a hot air dryer. Generally, the product isdried until it contains less than 14% moisture, and preferably about 5to 10% moisture. The dried particles or pieces are then transferred bybulk conveyor to a coating drum and sprayed with fat. Other liquids,such as, for example, phosphoric acid may alternatively be applied tothe pieces, or applied in addition to the fat. The resulting pellets orkibbles constitute the basal cat food preparation, the palatability ofwhich will be enhanced using the PEs and/or PECs described herein.

Moist cat foods that are gravy-based or jelly-based can be prepared bygrinding meat, meat mimetics, meat by-products, carbohydrates and/orgrains, texturing agents, and forming the ground mixture via lowpressure extrusion, then cooking through a steaming tunnel. At thetunnel outlet, the mixture is cut into pieces. The gravy- or jelly-typematrix is added to the resulting pieces, then sealed in cans or pouchesand retorted, so as to obtain chunks-in gravy or chunks-in jelly foodproducts.

Moist cat foods that are not gravy-based or jelly-based can be preparedby grinding meat, meat mimetics, meat by-products, carbohydrates and/orgrains, and mixing with water and texturing agents. Then, the overallmixture is sealed in cans and retorted, so as to obtain loaves.

The addition step a) mentioned above can thus be performed, depending onthe cat food and PE or PEC, either by incorporating or including said PEor PEC into the cat food preparation, or by coating said cat foodpreparation with said PE or PEC.

For example, one can cite a method for coating dry cat foods such askibbles. Kibbles of uncoated, extruded basal cat food can be placed in acontainer such a tub or a coating drum for mixing. A fat, such as porkfat or poultry fat, is heated and then sprayed onto the cat food in amanner to obtain a coating of the kibbles. The coating need not be acontinuous layer, but preferably is uniform. After the fat, a PE or PECmay be applied as either a liquid or a dry powder, while the product ismixed. A liquid PE or PEC is typically sprayed on while a dry PE or PECis typically dusted on. Alternatively, PEs or PECs can be mixed with thefat and applied concurrently. Yet alternatively, PEs or PECs are coatedbefore deposition of fat.

Alternatively, the PE or PEC can be incorporated or included into thecat food preparation according to the following method. The PE or PEC iscontacted with the raw ingredients of the cat food preparation prior tocooking. In this case, the PE or PEC is combined to proteins, fibre,carbohydrates and/or starch, etc., of the basal cat food preparation andis cooked with those materials in the cooker-extruder.

Inclusion into moist cat foods can be achieved as follows. The liquid ordry PE or PEC can be applied in a gravy- or jelly-type matrix during theblending process in addition to the other cat food ingredients. Theliquid or dry PE or PEC can also be applied into a meat-by mixtures forchunks or loaf preparation. In this case, it can be added to rawmaterials before or after the grinding process. The meat-by mixture maybe cooked in a steam or grilling oven in the case of chunksmanufacturing, or directly sealed in cans in the case of loafmanufacturing.

PEs and PECs are generally useful in cat foods such asnutritionally-balanced mixtures containing appropriate cat foodingredients including proteins, fibre, carbohydrates and/or starch, etc.Such mixtures are well known to those skilled in the art, and theircomposition depends on many factors such as, for example, the desiredfood balance for the specific type of cat. Additional cat foodingredients may include vitamins, minerals, seasonings, preservatives,and surfactants. The food balance, including the relative proportions ofvitamins, minerals, lipids, proteins and carbohydrates, is determinedaccording to the known dietary standards in the veterinary field, forexample by following recommendations of the National Research council(NRC), or the guidelines of the American Association of Feed ControlOfficials (AAFCO).

Preferably, the herein-disclosed cat food is selected from wetnutritionally-balanced cat foods, dry nutritionally-balanced cat foods,semi-moist nutritionally-balanced cat foods, supplements, treats, andtoys.

Wet nutritionally-balanced cat foods are preferably selected from thegroup consisting of: chunks-in-jelly food products, chunks-in-gravy foodproducts, loafs, and soups.

Dry nutritionally-balanced cat foods are preferably kibbles.

Yet another part of the present disclosure is directed to a method forfeeding cats comprising at least:

a) providing a cat food as described herein; andb) feeding said cat food to cats.

A further aspect of the present invention concerns a kit for enhancingpalatability of a cat food comprising at least the following components,in one or more containers in a single package:

a) at least one PE as described herein; and/orb) at least one PEC as described herein; andc) optionally, at least one palatability-enhancing ingredient; andd) optionally, at least one cat food ingredient; ande) optionally, means for communicating information about or instructionsfor using said components.

The above-described PEs and PECs provide significant advantages over theprior art. The effects of the present invention can be measured by atest that is commonly called “two-bowl test” or “versus test”. Ofcourse, the person skilled in the art is free to use any otherappropriate test than the two bowl test herein described to determinepreference. Such alternative tests are well known in the art.

Principle of the Two-Bowl Test:

The test is based on the postulate whereby the more food consumed, themore palatable it is.Individual versus (Two bowls) appetence tests, based on the comparisonbetween two foods, were carried out. Tests are performed either on panelof cats.

Operating Method of the Test:

Identical amounts of food A and food B were weighed out and placed inidentical bowls. The amount present in each ration enables the dailyrequirements to be met.

Distribution of the bowls:

The bowls were presented at the same time to each cat in an individualloose box and their positions were switched at each meal to avoid achoice led by handedness.

Duration of the test:

Cat test for dry food: from about 10 minutes to about 20 hours;

Cat test for wet food: from about 5 minutes to about 16 hours;

Parameters Studied:

Measured parameters: First food consumed (“initial appeal”) and amountof each food consumed by the end of the test;

Calculated parameters: individual consumption ratio in % (CR)

CR_(A)=consumption of A (g)×100/(consumption of A+B) (g)

CR_(B)=consumption of B (g)×100/(consumption of A+B) (g);

Average consumption ratio (ACR)=average of all individual ratios (anequal importance is given to each cat, regardless of its size and of itscorresponding consumption).

If cats have higher or lower consumption compared to predeterminedvalues (which are function of, e.g., the cat weight and/or metabolism),they are not taken into account into statistical treatment.

Statistical Analysis:

Statistical analysis was used to determine if there was a significantdifference between the 2 ratios. A Student's t-test with 3 errorthresholds, namely 5%, 1% and 0.1%, was performed.Significance levels are noted as below:

NS not significant (p > 0.05) * significant (p < 0.05) ** highlysignificant (p < 0.01) *** very highly significant (p < 0.001)

The present invention will be further described by reference to thefollowing examples, which are presented for the purpose of illustrationonly and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention.

EXAMPLES

The Examples below report assessment of the palatability-enhancingeffect of:

-   -   liquid PECs including liquid PEs characterized by their ratio        AAS/AAT: Example 1;    -   dry PECs including dry PEs characterized by their ratio AAS/AAT:        Example 2;    -   liquid PECs including liquid PEs characterized by their ratio        AAS/AAT and by their carbonyl compound profile: Example 3;    -   liquid PECs including liquid PEs characterized by their ratio        AAS/AAT and prepared by a method including or not a thermal        treatment: Example 4.1;    -   liquid PECs including liquid PEs characterized by their ratio        AAS/AAT and prepared by a method including variations of the        thermal treatment conditions: Example 4.2;    -   liquid PECs having different animal digest contents and        including liquid PEs characterized by their ratio AAS/AAT:        Example 5;    -   liquid PEC applied at different levels on experimental foods and        including a PE characterized by its ratio AAS/AAT: Example 6;    -   dry PE characterized by its ratio AAS/AAT and applied by        inclusion in a diet: Example 7.

Example 1: Assessment of the Palatability-Enhancing Effect of LiquidPECs Including Liquid PEs Characterized by their Ratio AAS/AAT

1.1. In this Example, 8 liquid PEs characterized by different AAS/AATratio values were prepared.

The formulations of PEs 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, and 8 are described inTable 1 below wherein percentages are expressed by weight of the PEs.

TABLE 1 Formulation of PE PE 1 PE 2 PE 3 PE 4 PE 5 PE 6 PE 7 PE 8 Freeamino acid 17.23 17.23 17.23 17.23 mixture 1 Free amino acid 18.32mixture 2 Free amino acid 17.00 mixture 3 Free amino acid 19.31 mixture4 Free amino acid 16.22 mixture 5 Carbonyl 15.07 15.07 15.07 15.07compound 1 = monosaccharide a Carbonyl 62.5  62.5  75   75   compound 2= material containing carbonyl groups * Water 38.24 38.24 38.24 38.24Carrier 20.27 20.27 29.46  7.77  6.68 29.69 27.38 30.47 (Maltodextrine)AAS/AAT ratio     3.16%     3.16%     3.16%     3.16%     8.90%   12.80%    14.01%    46.62% * Carbonyl compound 2: contained minimum25% of mono- and/or disaccharides and/or oligosaccharides.

The formulations of free amino acid mixtures 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 aredescribed in Table 2 below wherein the percentages are expressed byweight in the free amino acid mixtures (“Mix”).

TABLE 2 Formulation of Free aminoacid mixture Mix 1 Mix 2 Mix 3 Mix 4Mix 5 % sulfur-containing free 3.16 8.90 12.80 14.01 46.62 amino acids(Methionine- Cysteine-Cystine) in the mixture % of non-sulfur free 96.8491.10 87.20 85.99 53.38 amino acids in the mixture (1) (1) Represents %of free amino acids without sulfur: glutamic acid, alanine, leucine,valine, lysine, arginine, serine, phenylalanine, aspartic acid,isoleucine, threonine, glycine, proline, histidine, tyrosine.

Liquid PEs 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 and 8 were prepared using the followingmethods.

The ingredients of PE 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 or 8 were mixed and the pH wasadjusted to a value of 7.5 by addition of NaOH solution. The mixtureswere heated at 120° C. during 20 minutes. Then, the temperature wascooled down at less than 40° C., thereby obtaining liquid PE 1, 2, 3, 4,5, 6, 7 or 8.

The formulation of PE 2 is the same as that of PE 1, but the heatingtemperature used in the method for preparing PE 2 was 130° C. instead of120° C. for preparing PE 2.

1.2. The formulations of liquid PECs 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 and 10are described in Table 3 below wherein percentages are expressed byweight of the PECs.

TABLE 3 Formulation PEC PEC PEC PEC PEC PEC PEC PEC PEC PEC of the PEC 12 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 PE 1  5% PE 2  5% PE 3  5% PE 4  5% PE 5  5%  5% PE 6 5%  5% PE 7  5% PE 8  5% Liquid 95% 95% 95% 95% 95% poultry digest<<Dig 1>> (2) Liquid 95% 95% 95% 95% 95% pork digest <<Dig 2>> (2) (2)The liquid poultry digest “Dig 1” of the commercial range SPF did notcontain trisodium pyrophosphate. The liquid pork digest “Dig 2” of thecommercial range SPF contained trisodium pyrophosphate.

1.3. The coating formulas of Experimental Diets (“Exp. Diets”) 1, 2, 3,4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, and 10 and Control Diets A, B and C are described inTable 4 below wherein percentages are expressed by weight of theExperimental Diets.

TABLE 4 Exp. Exp. Exp. Exp. Exp. Exp. Exp. Exp. Exp. Exp. ControlControl Control Diet Diet Diet Diet Diet Diet Diet Diet Diet Diet DietDiet Diet 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 A B C Poultry 6%   6%   6%   6%   6% 6%6% 6% 6% 6% 6%   6% 6% fat PEC 1 3% PEC 2   3% PEC 3   3% PEC 4   3% PEC5   3% PEC 6 2% PEC 7 2% PEC 8 2% PEC 9 2% PEC 10 2% Liquid 3%   3%poultry digest “Dig 1” Liquid 2% pork digest “Dig 2” Dry 0.75% 0.75%0.75% 0.75% 0.75% poultry digest “Dig 3” (3) (3) The dry poultry digest“Dig 3” of the commercial range SPF contained trisodium pyrophosphate.

1.4. Food palatability to cats was assessed to compare ExperimentalDiets to Control Diets and, more particularly, to compare ExperimentalDiet 4 coated with liquid PEC 4 including liquid PE 6 characterized by aratio AAS/AAT of 12.80% to Experimental Diet 5 coated with liquid PEC 5including liquid PE 8 characterized by a ratio AAS/AAT of 46.62%.

The palatability results are presented in Table 5 below.

TABLE 5 AAS/AAT AAS/AAT ratio of ratio of Number of Test correspondingcorresponding Statistical validated Day Food A PE Food B PE % A % Bsignificance animals Without trisodium pyrophosphate Day 1 Control dietA    0% Experimental  3.16% 21 79 *** 36 Day 2 Diet 1 26 74 *** 36 Withtrisodium pyrophosphate Day 1 Control diet B    0% Experimental  3.16%31 69 *** 40 Day 2 Diet 2 37 63 ** 40 Day 1 Control diet B    0%Experimental  8.90% 34 66 *** 39 Day 2 Diet 3 38 62 *** 39 Day 1Experimental 46.62% Experimental 12.80% 41 59 * 40 Day 2 Diet 5 Diet 442 58 * 40 Day 1 Control diet C    0% Experimental  3.16% 42 58 * 38 Day2 Diet 6 39 61 ** 38 Day 1 Control diet C    0% Experimental  3.16% 3862 ** 40 Day 2 Diet 7 38 62 * 40 Day 1 Control diet C    0% Experimental 8.90% 31 69 *** 40 Day 2 Diet 8 34 66 *** 39 Day 1 Control diet C    0%Experimental 12.80% 43 57 * 32 Day 2 Diet 9 35 65 ** 32 Day 1 Controldiet C    0% Experimental 14.01% 44 56 NS 33 Day 2 Diet 10 43 57 NS 34 %A: average consumption of Food A; % B: average consumption of Food B.

These results show that Experimental Diets are preferred to ControlDiets, demonstrating the higher palatability to cats of foods coatedwith liquid PECs including liquid PEs characterized by an AAS/AAT ratioranging from less or equal to 12.80%, regardless the presence or theabsence of inorganic phosphate compounds (here, trisodium pyrophosphate)in the PECs.

These results also show that Experimental Diet 4 has a higherpalatability to cats than Experimental Diet 5, demonstrating theadvantage of including a liquid PE having an AAS/AAT ratio value of lessor equal to 12.8% in the liquid PEC used for coating cat food.

These results demonstrate that the advantage of including a liquid PEhaving an AAS/AAT ratio value of 12.8% that was preferred to the control(Experimental diet 9 vs Control C), which was not the case with a liquidPE having an AAS/AAT ratio value of 14.01% (Experimental diet 10 vsControl C).

Example 2: Assessment of the Palatability-Enhancing Effect of Dry PECsincluding dry PEs characterized by their ratio AAS/AAT

2.1. In this Example, the palatability-enhancing effect of a dry PECcontaining dry poultry digest of the SPF commercial range and differentamounts of a dry PE was assessed.

Dry PE 9 comprised an amino reactant characterized by an AAS/AAT ratioof 3.60%.

The formulation of dry PE 9 is described in Table 6 below whereinpercentages are expressed by weight of PE 9.

TABLE 6 Formulation of PE PE 9 Baker's yeast extract 37.5 Carbonylcompound 2* = material 62.5 containing carbonyl groups *Carbonylcompound 2: contained minimum 25% of mono- and/or disaccharides and/oroligosaccharides

Dry PE 9 was prepared using the following method.

The ingredients of PE 9 were mixed and the pH was adjusted to a value of7.5 by addition of NaOH solution. The mixture was heated at 120° C.during 20 minutes. Then, the temperature was cooled down at less than40° C. The resulting product was then spray-dried at an appropriatetemperature. Dry PE 9 was thus obtained.

2.2. The formulations of dry PECs 11, 12, 13, and 14 are described inTable 7 below wherein percentages are expressed by weight of the PECs.

TABLE 7 Formulation of PEC PEC 11 PEC 12 PEC 13 PEC 14 PE 9 15% 30% 15%30% Dry poultry digest 

 Dig 85% 70% 48% 33% 4 

 (4) Trisodium 37% 37% pyrophosphate (4) The dry poultry digest “Dig 4”of the commercial range SPF did not contain trisodium pyrophosphate

2.3. The coating formulas of Experimental Diets 11, 12, 13, and 14 andControl Diets D and E are described in Table 8 below wherein percentagesare expressed by weight of the Experimental Diets.

TABLE 8 Formulation Exp. Exp. Exp. Exp. Control Control of Diets Diet 11Diet 12 Diet 13 Diet 14 Diet D Diet E Poultry fat   6%   6%   6%   6%  6%   6% PEC 11 1.5% PEC 12 1.5% PEC 13 2.0% PEC 14 2.0% Dry poultry1.5% 1.3% digest << Dig 4 >> Trisodium 0.7% pyrophosphate

2.4. Palatability results are presented in Table 9 below.

TABLE 9 AAS/AAT AAS/AAT ratio of ratio of Number of Test correspondingcorresponding Statistical validated day Food A PE Food B PE % A % Bsignificance animals Without trisodium pyrophosphate Day 1 Control Diet0% Experimental 3.60% 33 67 *** 33 Day 2 D Diet 11 40 60 * 34 Day 1Control Diet 0% Experimental 3.60% 30 70 *** 33 Day 2 D Diet 12 32 68*** 35 With trisodium pyrophosphate Day 1 Control Diet 0% Experimental3.60% 44 56 NS 37 Day 2 E Diet 13 41 59 ** 37 Day 1 Control Diet 0%Experimental 3.60% 40 60 * 35 Day 2 E Diet 14 41 59 * 34 % A: averageconsumption of Food A; % B: average consumption of Food B.

As shown in Table 9, food consumptions are significantly differentbetween Control Diets and Experimental Diets, demonstrating the higherpalatability to cats of Experimental Diets coated with dry PECsincluding dry PEs having a ratio AAS/AAT of less or equal to 12.80%,regardless the presence or the absence of inorganic phosphate compounds(here, trisodium pyrophosphate) in the PECs.

Example 3: Assessment of the Palatability-Enhancing Effect of LiquidPECs Including Liquid PEs Characterized by their Ratio AAS/AAT and bytheir Carbonyl Compound Profile

3.1. In this Example, 3 liquid PEs containing different types andamounts of carbonyl compounds were prepared.

Liquid PEs 10, 11, and 12 comprised an amino reactant having an AAS/AATratio of 3.60%.

The formulations of liquid PEs 10, 11, and 12 are described in Table 10below wherein percentages are expressed by weight of the PEs.

TABLE 10 Formulation of PE PE 10 PE 11 PE 12 Baker's yeast extract 37.537.5 37.5 Carbonyl compound 1 = 12.5 15.5 Monosaccharide a Carbonylcompound 3 = 31.0 Monosaccharide b Carbonyl compound 4 = 15.5Disaccharide Water 31.0 31.5 31.5 Carrier (Maltodextrine) 19.0 LiquidPEs 10, 11, and 12 were prepared using the following method.

The ingredients of PE 10, 11, or 12 were mixed and the pH was adjustedto a value of 7.5 by addition of NaOH solution. The mixtures were heatedat 120° C. during 20 minutes. Then, the temperature was cooled down atless than 40° C., thereby obtaining liquid PE 10, 11, or 12.

3.2. The formulations of liquid PECs 15, 16, and 17 are described inTable 11 below wherein percentages are expressed by weight of the PECs.

TABLE 11 Formulation of PEC PEC 15 PEC 16 PEC 17 PE 10  5% PE 11  5% PE12  5% Liquid pork digest 

 Dig 2 

 (6) 95% 95% 95% (6) The liquid pork digest “Dig 2” of the commercialrange SPF contained trisodium pyrophosphate.

3.3. The coating formulas of Experimental Diets 15, 16, and 17 andControl Diet C are described in Table 12 below wherein percentages areexpressed by weight of the Experimental Diets.

TABLE 12 Exp. Exp. Exp. Diet Diet Diet Control Formulation of Diets 1516 17 Diet C Poultry fat 6% 6% 6% 6% PEC 15 2% PEC 16 2% PEC 17 2%Liquid pork digest 

 Dig 2 

  2%

3.4. As show in Table 13 below, food consumptions are significantlydifferent between Control Diet and Experimental Diets, demonstrating thehigher palatability to cats of Experimental Diets coated with liquidPECs including liquid PEs having a ratio AAS/AAT of less or equal to12.80% and characterized by different carbonyl compound profiles.

TABLE 13 AAS/AAT AAS/AAT ratio of ratio of Number of Test correspondingcorresponding Statistical validated day Food A PE Food B PE % A % Bsignificance animals Day 1 Control Diet C 0% Experimental 3.60% 29 71*** 40 Day 2 Diet 15 32 68 *** 40 Day 1 Control Diet C 0% Experimental3.60% 34 66 *** 40 Day 2 Diet 16 41 59 * 39 Day 1 Control Diet C 0%Experimental 3.60% 47 53 NS 39 Day 2 Diet 17 42 58 * 40 % A: averageconsumption of Food A; % B: average consumption of Food B.

Example 4.1: Assessment of the Palatability-Enhancing Effect of LiquidPECs Including Liquid PEs Characterized by their Ratio AAS/AAT andPrepared by a Method Including or not a Thermal Treatment

4.1.1. In this Example, 2 liquid PEs were prepared by a methodcomprising or not a thermal treatment.

Liquid PE 13 and PE 14 comprised an amino reactant characterized by anAAS/AAT ratio of 3.60%.

The formulations of liquid PEs 13 and 14 are described in Table 14below.

TABLE 14 Formulation of PE PE 13 and PE 14 Baker's yeast extract 37.50Carbonyl compound 2* = material 62.5 containing carbonyl groups*Carbonyl compound 2: contained minimum 25% of mono- and/ordisaccharides and/or oligosaccharides

The ingredients of PE 13 were mixed and the pH was adjusted to a valueof 7.5 by addition of NaOH solution. The mixtures were heated at 120° C.during 20 minutes. Then, the temperature was cooled down at less than40° C., thereby obtaining liquid PE 13.

Liquid PE 14 had the same formulation as liquid PE 13 but it wasprepared using a method that did not comprise any thermal treatment. Theingredients of PE 14 were only mixed.

4.1.2. The formulations of liquid PECs 18 and 19 are described in Table15 below wherein percentages are expressed by weight of the PECs.

TABLE 15 Formulation of PEC PEC 18 PEC 19 PE 13  5% PE 14  5% LiquidPoultry digest 

 Dig 1 

 (7) 95% 95% (7) The liquid poultry digest “Dig 1” of the commercialrange SPF did not contain trisodium pyrophosphate.

4.1.3. The coating formulas of Experimental Diets 18 and 19, and ControlDiet A are described in Table 16 below wherein percentages are expressedby weight of the Experimental Diets.

TABLE 16 Exp. Exp. Diet Diet Control Formulation of Diets 18 19 Diet APoultry fat 6% 6% 6% PEC 18 3% PEC 19 3% Liquid Poultry Digest 

 Dig 1 

  3%

4.1.4. Palatability results are presented below in Table 17.

TABLE 17 AAS/AAT AAS/AAT ratio of ratio of Number of Test correspondingcorresponding Statistical validated day Food A PE Food B PE % A % Bsignificance animals Without heating Day 1 Control Diet A   0%Experimental 3.60% 34 66 *** 34 Day 2 Diet 19 35 65 ** 35 With heatingDay 1 Control Diet A   0% Experimental 3.60% 31 69 *** 36 Day 2 Diet 1831 69 *** 37 With heating vs Without heating Day 1 Experimental 3.60%Experimental 3.60% 70 30 *** 36 Day 2 Diet 18 Diet 19 57 43 NS 38 % A:average consumption of Food A; % B: average consumption of Food B.

As shown in Table 17, food consumptions are significantly differentbetween

Control Diet and Experimental Diets, demonstrating the higherpalatability to cats of Experimental Diets coated with liquid PECsincluding liquid PEs having a ratio AAS/AAT of less or equal to 12.80%and prepared by a method comprising or not a thermal treatment.

Nevertheless, these results also show that food consumption issignificantly different between Experimental Diet 18 and ExperimentalDiet 19, demonstrating the higher palatability to cats of ExperimentalDiet 18 coated with a liquid PEC including a thermally-treated liquidPE.

Example 4.2: Assessment of the Palatability-Enhancing Effect of LiquidPECs Including Liquid PEs Characterized by their Ratio AAS/AAT andPrepared by a Method Including Variations of the Thermal TreatmentConditions

4.2.1. In this Example, 3 liquid PEs were prepared by a methodcomprising variations of the thermal treatment conditions.

Liquid PEs 15 and 16 have the same formulation as liquid PE 13 describedin Example 4.1 above, but the method for their preparation did notcomprise the same thermal treatment. Thus, as liquid PE 13, liquid PEs15 and 16 comprised an amino reactant having an AAS/AAT ratio of 3.60%

The ingredients of PE 15 or 16 were mixed and the pH was adjusted to avalue of 7.5 by addition of NaOH solution. For PE 15, the mixture washeated at 150° C. during 1 minute. For PE 16, the mixture was heated at180° C. during 1 minute. Then, the temperature was cooled down at lessthan 40° C., thereby obtaining liquid PE 15 or 16.

The formulation of liquid PE 13 (and thus of liquid PEs 15 and 16) isdescribed in Table 14, Example 4.1.

4.2.2. The formulations of PECs 20, 21, and 22 are described in Table 18below wherein percentages are expressed by weight of the PECs.

TABLE 18 Formulation of PEC PEC 20 PEC 21 PEC 22 PE 13  5% PE 15  5% PE16  5% Liquid Poultry digest “Dig 1” (8) 95% 95% 95% (8) The liquidpoultry digest “Dig 1” of the commercial range SPF did not containtrisodium pyrophosphate.

4.2.3. The coating formulas of Experimental Diets 20, 21, and 22 andControl Diet B are described in Table 19 below wherein percentages areexpressed by weight of the Experimental Diets.

TABLE 19 Exp. Exp. Exp. Formulation Diet Diet Diet Control of Diets 2021 22 Diet B Poultry fat 6% 6% 6% 6% PEC 20 3% PEC 21 3% PEC 22 3%Liquid Poultry 3% digest 

 Dig 1 

Dry poultry 0.75%   0.75%   0.75%   0.75%   digest 

 Dig 3 

 (9) (9) The dry poultry digest “Dig 3” of the commercial range SPFcontained trisodium pyrophosphate.

4.2.4. The palatability results are presented in Table 20 below.

TABLE 20 AAS/AAT AAS/AAT ratio of ratio of Number of Test correspondingcorresponding Statistical validated day Food A PE Food B PE % A % Bsignificance animals Day 1 Control Diet 0% Experimental 3.60% 26 74 ***40 Day 2 B Diet 20 28 72 *** 40 Day 1 Control Diet 0% Experimental 3.60%32 68 *** 40 Day 2 B Diet 21 25 75 *** 40 Day 1 Control Diet 0%Experimental 3.60% 38 62 ** 40 Day 2 B Diet 22 45 55 NS 40

As shown in Table 20, food consumptions are significantly differentbetween Experimental Diets and Control Diet, demonstrating the higherpalatability to cats of Experimental Diets coated with liquid PECsincluding liquid PEs having a ratio AAS/AAT of less or equal to 12.80%and prepared by a method comprising a thermal treatment performed underdifferent conditions.

Example 5: Assessment of the Palatability-Enhancing Effect of LiquidPECs Having Different Animal Digest Contents and Including Liquid PEsCharacterized by their Ratio AAS/AAT

5.1. In this Example, the palatability-enhancing effect of a liquid PECcontaining liquid animal digest of the SPF commercial range anddifferent amounts of liquid PE 1 described in Example 1 above(characterized by an AAS/AAT ratio of 3.16%) was assessed.

Formulation and method of preparation of liquid PE 1 are described inExample 1 above.

5.2. The formulations of PECs 23, 24, and 25 are described in Table 21below wherein percentages are expressed by weight of the PECs.

TABLE 21 Formulation of PEC PEC 23 PEC 24 PEC 25 PE 1   5%  45% 90.1%Liquid pork digest 

 Dig 2 

 (10) 85.10%  45.1% Trisodium Pyrophosphate 9.90% 9.90% 9.90% (10) Theliquid pork digest “Dig 2” of the commercial range SPF containedtrisodium pyrophosphate.

5.3. The coating formulas of Experimental Diets 23, 24, and 25 andControl Diet C are described in Table 22 below wherein percentages areexpressed by weight of the Experimental Diets.

TABLE 22 Exp. Exp. Exp. Diet Diet Diet Control Formulation of Diets 2324 25 Diet C Poultry fat 6% 6% 6% 6% PEC 23 2% PEC 24 2% PEC 25 2%Liquid pork digest 

 Dig 2 

2%

5.4. The cat foods were presented to cats for palatability assessment.The palatability results are presented in Table 23 below.

TABLE 23 AAS/AAT AAS/AAT ratio of ratio of Number of Test correspondingcorresponding Statistical validated day Food A PE Food B PE % A % Bsignificance animals Day 1 Control 0% Experimental 3.16% 39 61 * 38 Day2 Diet C Diet 23 38 62 ** 40 Day 1 Control 0% Experimental 3.16% 20 80*** 39 Day 2 Diet C Diet 24 17 83 *** 39 Day 1 Control 0% Experimental3.16% 30 70 *** 40 Day 2 Diet C Diet 25 24 76 *** 40 % A: averageconsumption of Food A; % B: average consumption of Food B.

As shown in Table 23, food consumptions are significantly differentbetween Experimental Diets and Control Diet, demonstrating thepalatability-enhancing effect of liquid PECs having different animaldigest contents and including liquid PEs characterized by a ratioAAS/AAT of less or equal to 12.80%.

Example 6: Assessment of the Palatability-Enhancing Effect of a LiquidPEC Applied at Different Levels and Including a PE Characterized by itsRatio AAS/AAT

6.1. In this Example, the palatability-enhancing effect of liquid PEC 26applied at different levels in the experimental diets and including PE17 characterized by an AAS/AAT ratio of 2.73% was assessed.

6.2. The formulation of PE 17 is described in Table 24 below:

TABLE 24 Formulation of PE PE 17 Inactive dry yeast 26.5 Carbonylcompound 2* = material 34 containing carbonyl groups Water 39.5*Carbonyl compound 2: contained minimum 25% of mono- and/ordisaccharides and/or oligosaccharides

6.3. Liquid PE 17 was prepared using the following method.

The ingredients of PE 17 formula were mixed and the pH was adjusted to avalue of 7.5 by addition of 30% NaOH solution. The mixture was heated at120° C. during 20 minutes. Afterwards the temperature was cooled down atless than 40° C.

6.4. The formulations of PEC 26 is described in Table 25 below whereinpercentages are expressed by weight of the PECs.

TABLE 25 Formulation of PEC PEC 26 Liquid pork digest S (11) 74.7 PE 1712 Trisodium pyrophosphate 13.3 (11) The liquid pork digest S did notcontain trisodium pyrophosphate.

6.5 The coating formulas of Experimental Diets 26 and 27 and ControlDiet C are described in Table 26 below wherein percentages are expressedby weight of the Experimental Diets.

TABLE 26 Exp. Exp. Diet Diet Control Formulation of Diets 26 27 Diet CPoultry fat  6% 6% 6% PEC 26 1.4% PEC 26 2% Liquid pork digest 

 Dig 2 

 (13) 2% (13) The liquid pork digest “Dig 2” of the commercial range SPFcontained trisodium pyrophosphate.

6.6. The palatability results are presented in Table 27 below.

TABLE 27 AAS/AAT AAS/AAT ratio of ratio of Number of Test correspondingcorresponding Statistical validated day Food A PE Food B PE % A % Bsignificance animals Day 1 Control 0% Experimental 2.73% 33 67 *** 39Day 2 diet C Diet 26 40 60 * 39 Day 1 Control 0% Experimental 2.73% 3862 *** 36 Day 2 diet C Diet 27 33 67 *** 31

As shown in Table 27, food consumptions are significantly differentbetween Experimental Diets and Control Diet, demonstrating thepalatability-enhancing effect of liquid PEC 26 applied at differentlevels in the experimental diets and including PE 17 characterized by anAAS/AAT ratio of less or equal to 12.80%.

Example 7: Assessment of the Palatability-Enhancing Effect of a Dry PECharacterized by its Ratio AAS/AAT, this PE being Applied by Inclusionin the Experimental Diet

7.1. In this Example, the palatability-enhancing effect of a dry PE, PE18, characterized by its ratio AAS/AAT, and being applied by inclusionin the experimental diet, was assessed.

7.2. Preparation of PE 18

PE 18 was obtained after drying of the liquid PE 17, characterized by anAAS/AAT ratio of 2.73%, and described in Example 6 above (Table 24).

The liquid PE 17 was maintained at 80° C. and not cooled to ambienttemperature in order to be directly dried by using a spray drier and apowder, PE 18, was then obtained (Humidity <6%). The ratio AAS/AAT wasthe same than in the liquid form since only water was evaporated fromthe composition.

7.3. Preparation of Diets

This PE 18 was then used in a Super Premium Cat Diet formulation bydirect inclusion at 1% within the core raw materials, before theextrusion process and the Experimental Diet 28 was obtained. The controldiet F in this example was exactly the same diet but without theinclusion of PE 18.

The coating formulas of Experimental Diets 28 and Control Diet F aredescribed in Table 28 below wherein percentages are expressed by weightof the Diets.

TABLE 28 Exp. Diet Control Compositions of Diets 28 Diet F Amount of PE18 inside the kibble 1% — Coated poultry Fat 6% 6% Liquid poultrydigest 

 Dig 1 

 (14) 3% 3% Dry poultry digest 

 Dig 3 

 (15) 2% 2% (14) The liquid poultry digest “Dig 1” of the commercialrange SPF did not contain trisodium pyrophosphate. (15) The dry poultrydigest “Dig 3” of the commercial range SPF contained trisodiumpyrophosphate.

7.4. Analytical composition of diets

Experimental diet 28 and control diet F were analyzed. As illustrated byTable 29 below, characteristics of both diets are very similar to eachother, the amount of inclusion of PE 18 being very low (1%) and allcomponents of the Diet formulation (meat flour, wheat, corn, etc.) beingequally substituted.

TABLE 29 Exp. Analytical data of Diet Control Diets (%) 28 Diet FMoisture % 7.7 7.8 Proteins % 35.6 36 Fat % 13.3 13.2 Ashes % 6.5 6.5Starch % 7.8 7.7

7.5. The palatability results are presented in Table 30 below.

TABLE 30 AAS/AAT AAS/AAT ratio of ratio of Number of Test correspondingcorresponding Statistical validated day Food A PE Food B PE % A % Bsignificance animals Day 1 Control 0% Experimental 2.73% 42 58 S 40 Day2 diet F Diet 28 50 50 NS 39

As shown in Table 30, food consumptions were significantly different the1^(st) day between Experimental Diet 28 and Control Diet, demonstratingthe palatability-enhancing effect of dry PE 18 characterized by a ratioAAS/AAT of 2.73%.

1-17. (canceled)
 18. A cat food non-fatty palatability enhancercomprising: at least one amino reactant consisting of amino acids, saidamino reactant being characterized by a ratio AAS/AAT ofsulfur-containing free amino acids (AAS) to total free amino acids (AAT)from 2.5 to 12.8% by weight; and at least one carbonyl compositioncomprising more than 20% and up to 100% by weight of monosaccharidesand/or disaccharides and/or oligosaccharides.
 19. The palatabilityenhancer of claim 18, wherein it is obtained upon thermally treatingsaid at least one amino reactant and said at least one carbonylcomposition.
 20. The palatability enhancer of claim 18, wherein saidcarbonyl composition is selected from the group consisting ofmonosaccharides, disaccharides, oligosaccharides, hydrolysis productsthereof; glucose syrups, fructose syrups, caramel, and molasses; andcombinations thereof; with the proviso that they comprise more than 20%and up to 100% by weight of monosaccharides and/or disaccharides and/oroligosaccharides.
 21. The palatability enhancer of claim 18, whereinsaid carbonyl composition comprises from 21 to 100% by weight ofmonosaccharides and/or disaccharides and/or oligosaccharides.
 22. Thepalatability enhancer of claim 21, wherein said carbonyl compositioncomprises from 23 to 100% by weight of monosaccharides and/ordisaccharides and/or oligosaccharides.
 23. The palatability enhancer ofclaim 22, wherein said carbonyl composition comprises from 25 to 100% byweight of monosaccharides and/or disaccharides and/or oligosaccharides.24. The palatability enhancer of claim 23, wherein said carbonylcomposition comprises from 28% to 100% by weight of monosaccharidesand/or disaccharides and/or oligosaccharides.
 25. The palatabilityenhancer of claim 19, wherein thermal treatment comprises heating saidat least one amino reactant and said at least one carbonyl compositionat a temperature ranging from about 80 to about 200° C. for a period oftime ranging from about 10 sec to about 210 min.
 26. A cat foodpalatability-enhancing composition comprising at least one palatabilityenhancer according to claim 18, in mixture with one or morepalatability-enhancing ingredients.
 27. The palatability-enhancingcomposition of claim 26, wherein said palatability-enhancing ingredientsare selected from the group consisting of inorganic phosphate compounds,animal digests, yeasts, and combinations thereof.
 28. A method forpreparing a cat food non-fatty palatability enhancer comprising: a)mixing in an aqueous medium at least one amino reactant consisting ofamino acids, said amino reactant being characterized by a ratio AAS/AATof sulfur-containing free amino acids (AAS) to total free amino acids(AAT) from 2.5 to 12.8% by weight, and at least one carbonyl compositioncomprising more than 20% and up to 100% by weight of monosaccharidesand/or disaccharides and/or oligosaccharides; and d) obtaining saidpalatability enhancer.
 29. The method of claim 28, further comprising atleast one step before said step d) selected from: b) thermally treatingthe thus obtained mixture; and c) drying the resulting mixture.
 30. Themethod of claim 29, wherein said step b) comprises heating said at leastone amino reactant and said at least one carbonyl composition at atemperature ranging from about 80 to about 200° C. for a period of timeranging from about 10 sec to about 210 min.
 31. A method for preparing acat food palatability-enhancing composition comprising: a) providing atleast one palatability enhancer according to claim 18; b) mixing said atleast one palatability enhancer with one or more palatability-enhancingingredients; and d) obtaining said palatability-enhancing composition.32. The method of claim 31, further comprising the step c) of drying thethus obtained mixture, before said step d).
 33. The method of claim 31,wherein said palatability enhancer is prepared using a methodcomprising: a) mixing in an aqueous medium at least one amino reactantconsisting of amino acids, said amino reactant being characterized by aratio AAS/AAT of sulfur-containing free amino acids (AAS) to total freeamino acids (AAT) from 2.5 to 12.8% by weight, and at least one carbonylcomposition comprising more than 20% and up to 100% by weight ofmonosaccharides and/or disaccharides and/or oligosaccharides; and d)obtaining said palatability enhancer.
 34. The method of claim 31,wherein it further comprises, after said step a), a step a1) of dryingsaid at least one palatability enhancer.
 35. A method for producing acat food having enhanced palatability comprising: a) adding to a catfood preparation, (i) at least one palatability enhancer comprising: atleast one amino reactant consisting of amino acids, said amino reactantbeing characterized by a ratio AAS/AAT of sulfur-containing free aminoacids (AAS) to total free amino acids (AAT) from 2.5 to 12.8% by weight;and at least one carbonyl composition comprising more than 20% and up to100% by weight of monosaccharides and/or disaccharides and/oroligosaccharides; (ii) and/or at least one palatability-enhancingcomposition according to claim 26; and b) obtaining a cat food havingenhanced palatability.
 36. The method according to claim 35, whereinsaid palatability enhancer is prepared using a method comprising: a)mixing in an aqueous medium at least one amino reactant consisting ofamino acids, said amino reactant being characterized by a ratio AAS/AATof sulfur-containing free amino acids (AAS) to total free amino acids(AAT) from 2.5 to 12.8% by weight, and at least one carbonyl compositioncomprising more than 20% and up to 100% by weight of monosaccharidesand/or disaccharides and/or oligosaccharides; and d) obtaining saidpalatability enhancer.
 37. The method according to claim 35, whereinsaid palatability-enhancing composition is prepared using a methodcomprising: a) providing at least one palatability enhancer comprising:at least one amino reactant consisting of amino acids, said aminoreactant being characterized by a ratio AAS/AAT of sulfur-containingfree amino acids (AAS) to total free amino acids (AAT) from 2.5 to 12.8%by weight; and at least one carbonyl composition comprising more than20% and up to 100% by weight of monosaccharides and/or disaccharidesand/or oligosaccharides; b) mixing said at least one palatabilityenhancer with one or more palatability-enhancing ingredients; and d)obtaining said palatability-enhancing composition.
 38. A cat food havingenhanced palatability obtainable by a method according to claim
 35. 39.A kit for enhancing palatability of a cat food comprising at least thefollowing components, in one or more containers in a single package: a)at least one palatability enhancer comprising: at least one aminoreactant consisting of amino acids, said amino reactant beingcharacterized by a ratio AAS/AAT of sulfur-containing free amino acids(AAS) to total free amino acids (AAT) from 2.5 to 12.8% by weight; andat least one carbonyl composition comprising more than 20% and up to100% by weight of monosaccharides and/or disaccharides and/oroligosaccharides; and/or b) at least one palatability-enhancingcomposition according to claim
 26. 40. The kit according to claim 39,further comprising: c) at least one palatability-enhancing ingredient;and/or d) at least one cat food ingredient.